The role of process drama to support play-based learning in early years classrooms

Description

Early learning classrooms are typically characterized by specialized play-based activities, as play is thought to be the leading activity of children (Fleer, 2011; Goouch, 2008; Vygotsky, 1978) These ‘uniquely preschool’ activities often involve children engaging with a variety of materials and props as part of their learning (Bodrova, 2008; Fleer, 2011). One important form of play is sociodramatic play, which is characterized by role-play, and imaginative or make-believe play (Long, Volk, & Gregory, 2007; Vygotsky, 1978). Sociodramatic play is regarded as the highest level of mature play or coordinated play, and is found to assist children with creative thinking, early literacy functions, language development, later academic learning, and metacognition (Bodrova, 2008; Long et al., Mages, 2006; McMaster, 1998; Saracho, 2002; Stone & Stone, 2007). Despite the acknowledged benefits of sociodramatic or mature play, many early learning classrooms today are characterized by immature play due to playing with realistic props and stereotypical play scenarios focused on limited themes and roles (Bodrova, 2008). Because of the prevalence of immature play it has become extremely important for early childhood educators to create classroom environments that support children moving into sociodramatic or imaginary make-believe play. One way that sociodramatic play can be scaffolded and enhanced is through the use of process or experiential drama (Deans, Brown, & Young, 2007; Macy & Payne, 2011). In a process drama the teacher carefully plans meaningful activities for all the children to use their imagination and move into the drama through role-play. Within the process drama children work to identify tensions, explore possible imaginary solutions and test them out (Macy & Payne, 2011; Wagner, 1998). This presentation will demonstrate how process drama was used in a kindergarten classroom as a scaffold to further develop sociodramatic play.